New Field Partner: Building vibrant communities in Washington D.C. with LEDC

Based in Washington, D.C., this nonprofit organization aims to help low-to-moderate income neighborhoods with significant Latino populations by supporting businesses, housing and human resource development.

Kiva is partnering with both LEDC and Capital One to turn D.C. into a Kiva City[2]! With help from both of these organizations, borrowers will receive holistic support and financial services.

A family in D.C. modified their home through a loan obtained from LEDC.

The LEDC offers micro business loans to help clients access financing and develop new and existing businesses to generate more income for their families. Additionally, the organization provides its clients with a broad range of services, including workshops for sharing knowledge, technical assistance and training in business development.

LEDC’s training programs focus on improving clients' practical business skills, such as building websites, paying taxes, business planning and working in cooperatives.

[8]An LEDC client is learning how to prepare and improve her credit report.

Clients interested in purchasing their first homes can attend LEDC’s classes on home ownership where they, if interested, can get individual counseling. This includes helping with credit repair and applying for the D.C. Home Purchase Assistance Program.

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Bernardo Figuero’s dream of owning his own small business came true in 2011 when a business loan from LEDC helped him make a down payment on his father’s grocery store in D.C.'s Columbia Heights neighborhood.

Kiva is very happy to help LEDC support even more micro-businesses in low-income Latino communities in Washington, D.C. The lenders’ funds will help ease loan requirements including decreasing collateral, interest payments and other fees. This partnership will help LEDC to reach borrowers that it was not able to serve before.

If you are interested in community development and promoting entrepreneurship, then making a loan through LEDC is a right choice for you.